A speeding driver was fined, a Buddhist pensioner rode his motorbike on the pavement, a drinker racially abused staff, and a reporter had his bike pump confiscated: All in a day’s work at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court.

Cambridge News took part today (December 13) in a project with colleagues from Essex, Hertfordshire, and Kent to capture a day in the life of court rooms across East Anglia and the South East of England.

We wanted to offer a “warts and all” view of what happens in a court room on an average day.

We spent the day at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court. On the way in, reporter Josh Thomas’ bike pump was confiscated as it could constitute “an offensive weapon”.

Throughout the day, Court three dealt with four separate trials. All four defendants denied the charges put to them, but were found guilty by the magistrates.

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Robin Taylor, 73, of Halifax Way in Newmarket, was found guilty of riding his motorbike “without reasonable consideration for others” when it emerged he had ridden on the pavement while ignoring a police motorcyclist’s orders for him to stop.

Taylor, who told the court he is Buddhist, and appeared with dyed pink hair, was handed three penalty points and will pay £130 to the court.

We also heard from Doru Merauta, 40, from Inigo Road in Greenwich. Police said that on February 13 this year, he was doing 80mph in his Audi on the A14, where the speed limit is 70mph. Merauta denied the charge, but was found guilty by the magistrates. He was fined £275, and had three points put on his licence.

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The magistrates also heard the case of Joshua Collinson-Prime, 22, of no fixed abode. Though he claimed it had been an accident, the magistrates found Collinson-Prime guilty of criminal damage after he smashed the windscreen of a Fiat 500 when he fell off his bike after drinking. Taking into account his limited means, magistrates ordered him to reimburse the owner’s insurance excess.

We also saw the trial of David Gladwin, 55, from Fison Road in Cambridge. He was accused of racially aggravated intentional harassment, and using alarming or distressing words. The magistrates found him guilty of using racist, intimidating words towards staff at the Eagle pub in Cambridge.

Gladwin’s case has been adjourned for sentencing.

Cambridge Magistrates Court clerk Stephen Reyes

Court clerk Stephen Reyes told Gladwin he must be back on 10am on January 5 for sentencing.

Court Clerk, Stephen Reyes, said the press plays an important part in bringing court proceedings to the public. He said anyone could, and should, come to watch trials and other court proceedings - and that it made fascinating viewing.

Mr Reyes said: “I think it is absolutely necessary to have the press here. It is disappointing that the press are not here every day. The public need to know what happens in here.

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“There is no reason people cannot come in and watch what’s going on in mags court. If people have time off over the Christmas period, they can come to court. Other than Christmas Day, Sundays, and Good Friday, the court is always open.

“Court is a fascinating place. Even the smallest cases can be very compelling.”

So there you have it. A long day’s blogging – but justice can’t be rushed.

And, reader, your reporter got his bike pump back at the end of the day.